Whatever Happened To....?

Jack Bowman · Post by **Jack Bowman** » 11 Feb 2013 10:48 pm

Gene, I was working in Oklahoma in the 50's when WKY TV started airing the Country shows. What ever happened to Wiley and Gene Sullivan (When my bluemoon turns to gold) from the Scotty Farell show?
Also, I met Hank Thomson and his gang in Okeene OK. at the rattlesnake roundup in 54. He was traveling with Tammy Winette and Anita Bryant ( they were just teenagers then. We all had lunch at the Okeene Hotel and talked music. I sure do miss the old days of country. At 81 I'm still doing the Senior Citizen Homes. They know my stuff and they cant hardly walk out on me....lol

Jack Bowman · Post by **Jack Bowman** » 11 Feb 2013 10:49 pm

Gene Jones wrote:Tony, I very much appreciate your kind words and I enjoyed visiting your web-site, however, I can't take any credit for Conway's involvement in country music.

We came together by chance to form a country band, but, contrary to many beliefs, Conway began his career by playing country music when he was still in high school.

Conway's brief success in the rock music venue was a temporary deviation. He returned to the country venue as soon as he thought that he could make a living doing it.

Obviously, he made the correct decision.

Gene, I was working in Oklahoma in the 50's when WKY TV started airing the Country shows. What ever happened to Wiley and Gene Sullivan (When my bluemoon turns to gold) from the Scotty Farell show?
Also, I met Hank Thomson and his gang in Okeene OK. at the rattlesnake roundup in 54. He was traveling with Tammy Winette and Anita Bryant ( they were just teenagers then. We all had lunch at the Okeene Hotel and talked music. I sure do miss the old days of country. At 81 I'm still doing the Senior Citizen Homes. They know my stuff and they cant hardly walk out on me....lol

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Feb 2013 7:51 am

Hi Jack, I'm surprised that we didn't cross trails back in the day, but maybe we did and are now so old that we just forgot.

I worked occasionally with Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan on local television shows during the 1950's, and later was on-call in Gene's recording studio. They have both been dead for many years now, but their famous song, "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again", lives on.

I remember one of Gene's humorous and often quoted remarks following playback of someone's recording in his studio was: "I don't believe that I can do anything either for or to that song".

I don't know what happened to Foreman Scotty, I guess he got old and rode off into the sunset.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 12 Feb 2013 8:29 am

Tony Trout · Post by **Tony Trout** » 14 Feb 2013 6:36 am

Gene Jones wrote:Tony, I very much appreciate your kind words and I enjoyed visiting your web-site, however, I can't take any credit for Conway's involvement in country music.

We came together by chance to form a country band, but, contrary to many beliefs, Conway began his career by playing country music when he was still in high school.

Conway's brief success in the rock music venue was a temporary deviation. He returned to the country venue as soon as he thought that he could make a living doing it.

Obviously, he made the correct decision.

Thanks for the correction, Gene. I understand the rock n roll/country story about Conway a lot better now.

Laurie Ayres · Post by **Laurie Ayres** » 16 Feb 2013 8:54 am

I thought you might like to hear a story about Conway. When I was young I had a BIG "CRUSH" on him. I never did get to see him. My daughter called to tell me he had died and we "BOTH" were crying! We both thought he could sing great but his looks helped a LOT too.

Anyway, the first time I met John Hughey the first thing I told him was "I guess this is the closest I'm ever going to get to Conway". He said "Hello Darling"...just like Conway would have said it. We all laughed and from that grew love, respect and friendship for John & Jean from Roy & I.

John was not only a GREAT steel guitarist but an awesome Christian man also. (Like Roy).

I hope you enjoy this tidbit!

Laurie

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 19 Feb 2013 12:08 pm

Laurie thank you for that story. It just goes to prove that we in the music world share much more than we sometimes realize.

Love ya,

Gene

Jack Bowman · Post by **Jack Bowman** » 19 Feb 2013 6:17 pm

Gene Jones wrote:Hi Jack, I'm surprised that we didn't cross trails back in the day, but maybe we did and are now so old that we just forgot.

I worked occasionally with Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan on local television shows during the 1950's, and later was on-call in Gene's recording studio. They have both been dead for many years now, but their famous song, "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again", lives on.

I remember one of Gene's humorous and often quoted remarks following playback of someone's recording in his studio was: "I don't believe that I can do anything either for or to that song".

I don't know what happened to Foreman Scotty, I guess he got old and rode off into the sunset.

The original recording of Wiley and Gene's bluemoon = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rr9aQrjnKI
That is a neet old steel in this song. Memoried do Last!

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 20 Feb 2013 10:13 am

Jack, thanks for the original recording of Wiley and Gene's "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again".

It brings back a lot of memories. Wiley Walker is buried near my father in Willow, Oklahoma.

When I was with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, there was a fire in a furniture store next door to Gene's recording studio.

As a Fire investigator, I responded and while checking the adjoining businesses for fire spread I entered Gene's studio and found Gene at his console mixing a recording with smoke all around him not knowing there was anything unusual happening. At my insistance, Gene finally left the building.

Another humorous incident I remember is on a Henson Cargill television show where Gene was singing his famous "Blue Moon" song, and our guitarist, Joe Saddlemier, played the turnaround with a Howard Roberts ride.

Gene, expecting a melody, finally made the transition back to the song, but the expression on his face was priceless.

Jack Bowman · Post by **Jack Bowman** » 20 Feb 2013 12:47 pm

Gene Jones wrote:Jack, thanks for the original recording of Wiley and Gene's "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again".

It brings back a lot of memories. Wiley Walker is buried near my father in Willow, Oklahoma.

When I was with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, there was a fire in a furniture store next door to Gene's recording studio.

As a Fire investigator, I responded and while checking the adjoining businesses for fire spread I entered Gene's studio and found Gene at his console mixing a recording with smoke all around him not knowing there was anything unusual happening. At my insistance, Gene finally left the building.

Another humorous incident I remember is on a Henson Cargill television show where Gene was singing his famous "Blue Moon" song, and our guitarist, Joe Saddlemier, played the turnaround with a Howard Roberts ride.

Gene, expecting a melody, finally made the transition back to the song, but the expression on his face was priceless.

I can imagine the look on Gene's face...lol That was what made their act so good were incidents such as this. Wiley had that sly witt that caugth Gene off guard sometimes and I've seen him do it a fewe times, but a jazz ride on a hot guitar is hard to overcome, in pure country.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 26 Feb 2013 9:22 am

Whatever Happened To....?

Please consider this thread to be a topic not limited to my initial post, so if anyone wishes to include the history and current status of anyone in our music business from the past, please feel free to add them to this thread as it will be of interest to all SGF members.

Gene

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 19 Mar 2013 8:27 am

This picture was sent to me by one of Conway's fans. She says it is in the pamphlet that came with the CD "The Conway Collection". I can't confirm that beause I've never seen either the CD or the book that came with it. Pictured are me, Conway and Johnny Eubanks, who could sing tenor high enough to rupture your ear drums.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 19 Apr 2013 9:33 am

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 19 Apr 2013 9:42 pm

Gene, seems like I heard that Conway and John Hughey played together in High School.
Do you know about that? I don't remember if John told me that or where I heard it. Maybe Jean.
My mind does wander some times, so I don't recall all the things I hear.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 20 Apr 2013 5:44 am

You are correct Ray.

In the early 1950's while they were in highschool, Conway and John had a country band. Conway later gave me a tape recording of just the two of them practicing at Conway's grandparents home in Arkansas. That tape was recorded way before pedals and John was only playing C6.

Proof that Conway was not originally a R&R performer who later became a country performer.

They reconnected in 1968 after Conway left his R&R career and was becoming established as a country recording artist.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 11 Jun 2013 8:30 am

It should be noted that Conway died on June 5, 1993,in Springfield,Missouri, following a concert in Branson.

Twenty years later, his recordings continue to be played on country music stations across the USA.

Al Risbeck · Post by **Al Risbeck** » 11 Jun 2013 9:43 am

Gene did you ever work with Billy White at the OK City FD, I played steel for him In San Diego back in '59 & '60 on a old three legged Fender like you have in some of you pictures.

Al

Ken Newman · Post by **Ken Newman** » 11 Jun 2013 6:58 pm

al risbeck, golly gee, got to thinking you were on the lamb. good to see you. cannot thank you enough for the whitetail hunting for my #3 son Jason with your family. he speaks of you often. the des moines days were memorable. it was new to me, the 'franks lounge' gigs with john b. and others. many friends still in dsm.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Jun 2013 8:05 am

No Al, I never met Billy White, apparently he was not there when I joined the Dept in 1964 because I don't find him in any of the yearbooks.

However, I do have a Shih Tzu that looks like the dog on your logo!

Al Risbeck · Post by **Al Risbeck** » 12 Jun 2013 10:41 am

Thanks Gene, for getting back to me, Billy had spent a couple of years in the Army, then was on the OK City FD probably about 1956 0r so, then joined the Navy and was Corpsman with the Marines. Great guy and a good country singer. Last I knew he was with some small city FD near OK City. My girl is a Lhasa Apsa, 1st cousin to yours, aren't they great? Ken I am still kicking, however right now it's pneumonia I'm trying to kick

Thanks Again

Al

Gary Schlotterbeck · Post by **Gary Schlotterbeck** » 13 Jun 2013 8:57 am

Gene, have you ever played the Fair's in either Hagerstown MD or Fredrick MD. It could have been York PA. as well. I remember seeing Conway in the early years when he was in transition between rock and country. But I was just a youngster then.

Anyway, if you did, I was the kid that pestered every steel player I met, to show me something I could play on my Gibson BR-9.
Thanks Gene for sharing your memories...Gary

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 14 Jun 2013 8:19 am

Thanks for your e-mail Gary.

To answer your question, the only Fairs I worked with Conway was the Missouri and Oklahoma State Fairs. The Missouri fair in Jefferson City was my first working with all the perks of a national star......police escorts from our hotel to the fairgrounds etc. I didn't even mind as much as usual having to carry Joe Lewis's bass and amp to the stage while he visited with the fans.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 14 Jun 2013 11:48 am

Mr. Jesse "Ed" Davis is my favorite guitar player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xAVDJQ ... Cjndwoep0K

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Jul 2013 8:19 am

Quote:" I didn't even mind as much as usual having to carry Joe Lewis's bass and amp to the stage while he visited with the fans." Unquote

In retrospect my comment above sounded unnecessarily sarcastic rather than humorous as I intended. Big Joe did enjoy visiting with the fans but he was also Conway's only bodyguard which at times was needed. The beginnings of Conway's success was a crazy era and even I helped rescue Conway from overzealous fans occasionally.

In short, Big Joe was an important person during the beginning of Conway's career.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 13 Jul 2013 7:47 am

This is great stuff! Jesse Edwin Davis was a monster on guitar. Didn’t Ronnie Hawkins, and perhaps even the great Levon Helm, also play with Conway during his early days in Arkansas?

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Whatever Happened To....?

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Have you played in Hagerstown MD?